SCOTLAND U20 40 – 53 WALES U20
Deian Gwynne’s Welsh U20 team got a thorough work out before heading to Georgia for the World Rugby Junior Championship as they outscored their Scottish counterparts by nine tries to six in an uncapped warm-up fixture in Edinburgh.
Ospreys back row man Sam Morgan pushed his claims for a ticket on the plane to Tbilisi as he scored two tries and Scarlets’ lock Will Evans came through his action unscathed to give head coach Richard Whiffin another second row option.
Having ended the first half well in control at 31-14, Wales had to fight hard in the second period to hold onto their advantage as the Scots hit back to within one score.
With the clock in the red and the score at 46-40, the home side tried to go the length of the field to snatch victory, but an intercept try from Cai Healy ensured Wales ended on top.
“It was a high scoring game played in very windy conditions. We took a 20-point lead before a couple of errors let them back in,” said Whiffin.
“We got lots of minutes into 30 players which was great and there were no injuries, which was even better. We looked dangerous when we moved the ball and it was a good hit out in what was very much a warm-up game.
“Tom Cottle, in his first game back from injury, played really well and Will Evans also stood out. Cai Gealy was good in his first game in a Wales U20 shirt, as well as Brogan Leary.
“There were a few system errors that we need to tidy up, along with a bit of our defensive work, but I was happy with everyone’s effort. It’s going to be a tough selection process over the weekend.”
Scotland enjoyed the early territory, but Wales were scored with their first strike play. Rhys Cummings cut inside from the left wing, evaded the grasp of two defenders and made it to the corner for a try that Carwyn Leggatt-Jones converted.
The Scots hit back with a try from prop Will Pearce that was improved by outside half Jake Dalziel. Morgan and Lewis Edwards were next on the scoresheet for Wales, with another Leggatt-Jones conversion making it 19-7 after 26 minutes, but Daziel crossed for a try of his own moments later that he also converted.
Leggatt-Jones then floated a long pass to free up Dylan Scott for a run to the line before Morgan grabbed his second on the stroke of half-time. Leggatt-Jones added the extras and Wales were 17 points to the good at the break.
There were big changes at half-time on both sides and Scotland got themselves right back into the contest with tries from Dan Halkon and Jamie Stewart, after 20 phases, and another Dalziel conversion. Once again there was only one score between the two teams with half-an-hour to play.
Sensing the danger, Wales converted a driving line out to provide Oscar Thomas with a try. Leary then rode his luck after a kick ricocheted off his face and bounced over the line for him to dive on before Osian Williams ran an excellent line to split the home defence and go over on the right.
That flurry of Welsh tries opened up a 20-point gap before the Scots hit back with a second score from prop Stewart and another try from Dan Kelly, both of which were converted to make it a one score game again.
With both sides looking for the vital winning score, scrum half Healy popped up to intercept a Scottish move and run in at the posts. Lloyd Lucas converted and Wales will head to Georgia to meet the hosts nation, Uruguay and South Africa with spirits high.
Scorers: Scotland U20: Tries: Jamie Stewart 2, Will Pearce, Jake Dalziel, Dan Halkon, Dan Kelly; Cons: Jake Dalziel 3, Ross Wolfenden, Calum Jessop. Wales U20: Tries: Sam Morgan 2, Rhys Cummings, Lewis Edwards, Dylan Scott, Oscar Thomas, Brogan Leary, Osian Williams, Cai Healy; Cons: Carwyn Leggatt-Jones 3, Lloyd Lucas